On FB they mention having a leak in the inter cooler that pumped water into the engine. Bent rods, or not, water in the engine isn't something you want to try to run 350+ mph with.
Not too bad for being 10 mph off the current class record on the first run on the Salt Flats ever. And being able to post a speed almost 20 mph over the record for the first half of a possible record attempt on the second pass ever isn't too shabby either. It's like building a purpose built drag car, it's just not something you can tune on the street, so I'm sure the four full runs have gained them lots of data. So far it looks like they are the fastest Gas vehicle, and the third fastest vehicle of the event. It stinks they didn't come away with a record this event, but they will eventually. If it was easy, every one would be sheet metal screwing ACME Bonniville Rocket Kits to the roof of their Civic, and lighting the fuse to go 350 mph. I'll catch up with you guys when you get home, it was a great outing!